The Evolutionary Role of Epistasis for Fitness in Chamacrista Fasciculata

小行星9312067 拟议的研究的中心主题是确定基因作用的类型，这是负责常见的本地豆类，豌豆种群之间的遗传差异。 基因可以彼此独立地起作用，因此遗传分化可能仅仅反映了作用于单个基因的人工或自然选择的累积效应。 然而，生物体之间的重要差异可能反映了对基因组合的选择。 选择作用于基因组合，意味着基因互作或上位性是重要的。 基因作用的类型可以通过跟踪亲本间杂交后代的存活和繁殖来确定，亲本间的杂交距离增加。% 该项目使用Parapluspea作为模型系统的结果可能对许多不同的学科具有重要意义，包括进化，作物和动物育种以及保护生物学。 如果生物是因为基因间的相互作用而适应环境的，那么我们的进化模型就需要更加复杂。 此外，在发生基因相互作用的地方，与目前采用的育种策略不同的育种策略可能对作物和动物改良具有更大的功效。 维持或保护濒危物种遗传多样性的策略也将受到基因相互作用是否决定与生存、繁殖或产量相关的性状的影响。

9312067 Fenster The central theme of the proposed research concerns determining the type of gene action which is responsible for genetic differences among populations of the common native legume, Partridge Pea. Genes may act independently of one another so that genetic divergence may simply reflect the accumulated effects of artificial or natural selection acting on single genes. However, it is just as likely that important differences among organisms may reflect selection on combinations of genes. Selection acting on combination of genes means that gene interaction or epistasis is important. The type of gene action can be determined by following the survivorship and reproduction of progeny derived from crosses between parents that are separated from one another by increasing distance.%%% Results from this project using Partridge Pea as a model system may have important implications for a number of different disciplines including evolution, crop and animal breeding, and conservation biology. If organisms are adapted to their environment because of interactions among genes, then our models of evolution will need to be more complex. In addition where gene interactions occur different breeding strategies than those presently employed may have greater efficacy for crop and animal improvement. Strategies for maintaining or preserving genetic diversity in endangered species will also be influenced by whether gene interaction determines traits associated with survivorship, reproduction, or yield.***